Sexy, smudgy, smoky eyes: everyone seems to want them, while mostly feeling that successful application is beyond their capabilities. This must be overcome, because it is one of the more versatile and egalitarian looks. The joy of smoky eye makeup is that it suits every age, face and eye shape, and is one of the few shadow techniques that works just as well on hooded lids, because it doesn't rely on the crease line. It's also fabulous on deep-set eyes and glasses wearers. Uniquely, it looks better as the evening progresses and things get a little more blurred and grimy. (A supermodel once told me that she applied her smoky eyes before bed for the next day. Mildly emetic, certainly, but I took her point.)

This is what you need: an ivory/bone base shadow; a dark, dramatic shadow (anything from bottle green to charcoal grey, navy blue or aubergine); a dark crayon; a soft kohl pencil (the softness is essential for all-important smudging with a finger or cotton bud); and the blackest, sootiest mascara. I always partner this look with a muted lipstick or gloss and blusher, usually a dusky rose or brownie nude.

Here are the six smoke-makers I swear by. Watch my tutorial to see how to use them.